{"id":5420,"date":"2011-02-11T23:10:32","date_gmt":"2011-02-12T07:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=5420"},"modified":"2013-09-03T11:15:22","modified_gmt":"2013-09-03T19:15:22","slug":"make-it-personal-the-best-kind-of-valentine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/make-it-personal-the-best-kind-of-valentine\/","title":{"rendered":"Make it Personal: The Best Kind of Valentine"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

<\/a><\/p>\n

With Valentine\u2019s Day around the corner, lovers around the world are trying to figure out just the right words for that special card or letter. \u00a0Probably many of them are cringing at the pressure of romance and expectations of the most romantic day of the year. \u00a0Though many singles complain about being alone on Valentine\u2019s Day, we are actually the lucky ones who can just have fun surprising our friends, family, or maybe even a potential romantic interest with a card or gift. Whether you\u2019re in a relationship or not, Valentine\u2019s Day is a time for sharing your love. But exactly what\u2019s the best way to do that? Read on.<\/p>\n

New media or traditional?<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These days we have an abundance of ways to communicate. There\u2019s text messaging, email, blogs, social media, eCards, and the good old standby: traditional greeting cards.\u00a0 I had a debate with a friend who said that traditional was the way to go. He said there was a study done that said people don\u2019t appreciate eCards (especially the free type) because they require no money and no time.<\/p>\n

Personally, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s important to spend money to show you care about someone, but I can see that if you spend virtually no effort it will not be as appreciated as if you do take some time and make the effort to try and do something out of the ordinary.\u00a0 However, buying a card at a store that has a verse all written for you doesn\u2019t take much effort either\u2026 other than the effort it took to go to the store. My advice is to spend the effort on writing what\u2019s in the card.\u00a0 That\u2019s more important than whether it\u2019s paper or electronic.<\/p>\n

However, if you really want to do something special, then be creative! Write a message on the mirror with lipstick or leave a surprise note in the car. Try to come up with a bunch of different ways to leave messages throughout the day for your Valentine.\u00a0 Maybe leave just a word or a sentence with each communication building on the next until the last note which will perhaps lead to a gift.<\/p>\n

Make it personal<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So what should this mystery note say? How can you make it special? The best way is to take into account the personality of the recipient as well as your relationship.<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s talk about the relationship.\u00a0 Remember, this does not have to be for a love interest.\u00a0 It can be for a friend, a parent, a child, a sibling. Of course, your message is going to have to be tailored to the personality and your particular relationship with this person.\u00a0 Start by making a list of special experiences or memories you have with the person.\u00a0 Do you have any photos? Also make a list of personality traits that you especially appreciate about the person.<\/p>\n

The next step is to see if you can tailor your valentine in a way that shows you are appreciating and loving those special traits. For example, let\u2019s say you and your Valentine have a tradition of playing Scrabble. Maybe your card could be made up of Scrabble tiles that spell out \u201cI love you.\u201d Maybe you make an inside joke using a sentence with that contested weird word you made in the last game or the controversial 2-letter words. Or how about a Scrabble pun \u2013 The only letter I want is \u2018U.\u2019<\/p>\n

Now I\u2019m the kind of person who likes corny puns and Scrabble, so I would love a Valentine like that. But if your Valentine prefers romance then try your hand at being more sentimental and writing a serious letter about how much she means to you.\u00a0 Think about using photos from the past year as triggers. Maybe make a photo eCard or even a photo book.<\/p>\n

Show your gratitude<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regardless of the type of card or gift you give, the primary thing you want to convey is your love and appreciation for the recipient and let them know how happy you are that they are in your life. This may be as simple as a \u201cgratitude letter,\u201d reminding them of special, small moments \u2013 moments that they may have not even known you noticed, but you did. Thank them for all those things they do that you may often take for granted\u2013 the laundry, the text message for no reason, the supportive smile across the room.<\/p>\n

Make it genuine. Make it personal. Your valentine will love it and love you for your efforts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Guest blogger Yvette Francino is the author of The Laptop Dancer Diaries: A Mostly True Story about Finding Love Again<\/a>. She currently is hosting The Love Project at http:\/\/singleagainonlinediary.blogspot.com<\/a> where she gives monthly exercises designed to give and receive love.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Regardless of the type of card or gift you give, the primary thing you want to convey is your love and appreciation for the recipient and let them know how happy you are that they are in your life. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6],"tags":[1186,1187,66,4629,1188],"yoast_head":"\nMake it Personal: The Best Kind of Valentine - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you really want to do something special, then be creative! Write a message on the mirror with lipstick or leave a surprise note in the car. 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